Metro
Special Squad Uncovers Kidnappers’ Armoury, Camps In Edo Forest

The Edo State Special Security Squad said it uncovered an armoury and camps in the forest used by kidnappers to carry out their devilish activities.
The squad made this known in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Fred Itua, and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Benin.
Itua in the statement said the discovery was made during the bush combing exercise carried out by the outfit from Tuesday to Thursday.
According to Itua, the coordinated exercise was carried out under the direct supervision of the governor’s Chief Security Officer and Principal Security Officer.
He noted that the operation covered Ovia North-East, Esan North-East, Esan West, and Esan South-East Local Government Areas of the state.
READ ALSO:Edo Agency Intercepts 14-yr-old Sickle Cell Sufferer, Others, Trafficked To Libya, Mali
Itua noted that particular attention was paid to the Benin–Akure Road corridor, where passengers of the New Edo Line were recently kidnapped.
He added, “During the bush combing, operatives recovered two locally made double-barrel guns and one live cartridge in adjoining communities, including Osa-Somba and Idunwingie in Ovia North-East. Officials noted that the discoveries point to the entrenched use of local armoury by kidnappers operating in the region.”
Head of the ESSC, Idemudia Noah, in the statement said the team was deploying drones, military personnel, and advanced surveillance in its relentless pursuit of kidnappers.
“We received distress calls from Ugboha people reporting kidnapping incidents, and we responded with massive combing of the forests. This administration is determined to ensure Edo is too unsafe for criminals. The message is clear: criminals must leave the state or face decisive action,” Noah declared.
READ ALSO:Edo Deputy Gov Orders Restoration Of Water Supply To Health Facility
A member of the squad, Eribo Emwanta, disclosed that in Ugboha forest, operatives discovered abandoned camps suspected to have been used as kidnapping hideouts.
He said that the exercise would remain continuous, with Governor Okpebholo personally monitoring the team’s activities.
Recall that Last Friday, gunmen suspected to be kidnappers killed eight personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps attached to the BUA Cement Factory located in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of the state.
An expatriate, a Chinese national, was also kidnapped while four others were rescued from their abductors. Four people were also injured and are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
Also, passengers in an Edo Line bus and a Toyota Corolla car were abducted along Benin-Auchi Road on the same day, but 16 of them were later rescued by the police.
Metro
NAFDAC Shuts 16 Sachet Water Factories In Rivers Crackdown

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has warned sachet water producers to stop producing unregistered water and to renew expired licences or face punishment.
The warning was given by the Director of NAFDAC in the South-South Zone, Chukwuma Oligbu, after the agency carried out an enforcement operation in parts of Rivers State, including Asari Toru, Akuku Toru, Degema, and Ikwerre Local Government Areas.
During the operation, 16 sachet water factories were shut down and their owners were invited for questioning.
NAFDAC said the factories were found operating in dirty conditions, using unsafe filters, providing wrong addresses, and, in some cases, using expired licences or violating other regulations.
READ ALSO:Protest Hits NAFDAC HQ Over Sachet Alcohol Ban
In a statement on Thursday by the Public Relations Officer of the South-South Zone, Cyril Monye, the agency also warned that factories operating illegally or obstructing officials from carrying out their duties would be shut down and their owners prosecuted.
NAFDAC further urged the public to report any illegal water production.
According to the statement, “The sachet water factories include: Obra Bo Table Water, Abalama, Asari Toru LGA; Loilia Table Water, Okpo, Degema LGA; Jima Table Water, Obuama Harry Town, Degema LGA; and Inye Table Water, Obuama Harry Town, Degema LGA.
READ ALSO: PHOTOS: NAFDAC Destroys Fake Products Worth N20bn In Oyo
“Others are Obuta Table Water, Obuama Harry Town, Degema LGA; S.P. Nimi Table Water, Obuama Harry Town, Degema LGA; Soaltam Table Water, Obuama Harry Town, Degema LGA; and Piasso Table Water, Usokun, Degema LGA.
“Also shut down are: Imumsco Table Water, Port Harcourt–Degema Road, Degema LGA; Granpa Table Water, Abonnema, Akuku Toru LGA; Daa Ajuka Table Water, Abonnema, Akuku Toru LGA; and Diob Table Water, Abonnema, Akuku Toru LGA.
“At Ikwerre LGA, four factories were shut down. They include AQUA-TOBSON Table Water, DUCO Table Water, CHISODEK Table Water, and NEO BRAIN Table Water.”
Metro
Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.
The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.
In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.
According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.
READ ALSO:Police Reject N500m Bribe, Recover N7.8bn Illicit Drugs In Lagos
“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.
The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.
Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.
According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.
READ ALSO: IGP Orders Officers Display Name Tag On Uniform, Gives Update On State Police
The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.
“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.
The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.
The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.
Metro
Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.
This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.
Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.
READ ALSO:Edo Police Arrest Four Suspected Cultists, Recover Firearms
The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.
“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.
“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.
READ ALSO: Idahosa Expresses Gratitude To Okpebholo, Oshiomhole, Others For Support At mother’s Demise
“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.
“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”
She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.
He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.
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